Mumbai/Pune: After a Learjet-45 business jet (VT-SSK) carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning, killing all on board, five crucial developments have emerged so far, as per various reports.
1) Fatal Crash Details
Pawar was travelling to Baramati along with his personal security officer Vidhit Jadhav, pilot-in-command Sumit Kapur, first officer Shambhavi Pathak and cabin crew member Pinky Mali when the aircraft crashed near the runway while landing.
2) CID and Official Probes Underway
The Maharashtra government has ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inquiry into the tragedy, working alongside the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). An accidental death report has also been filed at Baramati police station.
3) New CCTV Footage Surfaces
A newly-circulated video appears to show the aircraft tilting sharply mid-air just before impact, with its left wing dropping suddenly moments before it hits the ground and explodes in a fireball, reported Hindustan Times.
4) Three Theories Suggested by Experts
Aviation specialists, as reported by Hindustan Times, studying the footage have proposed three possible reasons behind the crash, though a final cause awaits full technical analysis — including retrieval of the black box data: �
Aerodynamic stall: Loss of lift due to low speed or high angle of attack during approach could have caused a sudden roll.
Engine issues: Loss of power on one engine might induce asymmetric thrust and destabilise the aircraft.
Late runway visual & hard manoeuvre: Pilots may have attempted a sharp turn close to the ground in poor visual conditions, leading to loss of control.
Authorities emphasise that definitive conclusions can only be drawn after decoding the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.
5) Broader Impact
The crash has sparked a significant political and public response in Maharashtra, with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) seeking new leadership and widespread shock across the state.
